Since its release in 2018, Apple's HomePod has garnered widespread attention and has quickly become an essential part of the home audio system for music lovers. HomePods can offer an unparalleled listening experience to Apple Music with its superior sound quality and intelligent voice assistant, Siri. Meanwhile, its high compatibility means you can play Apple Music on HomePod from anywhere easily.
However, many users still face some challenges. Especially for those who use non-Apple devices, how to play Apple music on HomePod from any device often can pose a challenge. This article will walk you through how to solve this problem, no matter which device you have on hand. Let's explore together!
Part 1. Play Apple Music on HomePod via iPhone and Siri
If you are a newbie, you will need to first connect Apple Music to HomePod. This could be a little bit complicated. Please follow the steps below carefully so that you can successfully set up HomePod and play Apple Music on HomePod via iPhone.
Step 1. To begin with, ensure that Bluetooth is turned on and your iPhone is connected to the Wi-Fi network you plan to use for HomePod.
Step 2. Plug your HomePod into power. Wait for a chime and a pulsing white light to appear on the top of it.
Step 3. Hold your unlocked iPhone within a few inches of the HomePod. Then, a mini-window will pop up from the bottom of your iPhone.
Step 4. Tap Set Up on your iPhone and follow the on-screen to customize your HomePod settings, such as selecting HomePod location, enabling Personal Requests, agreeing Terms and Conditions, and more. Additionally, you may require your Apple ID and password to identify your account during the process.
Option 1. Listen to Apple Music on HomePod via AirPlay
Step 1. Once you get HomePod ready, go to the Apple Music app. Then, play the song.
Step 2. Simply tap on the AirPlay icon on the screen and select your HomePod from the list of available devices. Then, you can play Apple Music on HomePod from the iPhone effortlessly.
Option 2. Stream Apple Music on HomePod via Handoff:
Step 1. Go to Settings > General > AirPlay & Handoff and make sure Handoff and Transfer to HomePod are turned on.
Step 2. Hold your iPhone near the top of the HomePod. Then you can enjoy Apple Music on HomePod seamlessly.
Option 3. Play Apple Music on HomePod with Siri
Step 1. Download the Home app on your iPhone and log in with your Apple ID afterward.
Step 2. Go to Settings to toggle on the Hey Siri option.
Step 3. Directly command Siri to play Apple Music on HomePod by saying "Hey Siri, play (the song title)...".
Tips on Playing Music on HomePod
When setting up with your HomePod, perhaps you just can't wait to enjoy the music first. In this section, we will offer some tips to improve your listening experience. It is recommended to learn them first.
HomePod Touchscreen Operation Tips
For newbies, it is essential to know how to use the touchscreen of HomePod. Different touch-taps have different meanings, and I will introduce the operations to you one by one.
| One Tap | Play or Pause the song that you are hearing. |
| Double Tap | Play the next song or track. |
| Triple Tap | Go back to the previous track. |
| Touch and hold the top of the HomePod | Activate Siri and then you can talk with Siri. |
| Tap or Hold Plus | Volume Up. |
| Tap or Hold Minus | Volume Down. |
Siri Command Tips
When you want to play Apple Music with Siri, there are also some advanced voice commands available, instead of only saying "Hey Siri". These can help you play Apple Music on HomePod easily by Genres, Moods, and so on so that you can enjoy specific songs, albums, and playlists. Here are some:
| Play Music by Genre | "Hey Siri, play some rock songs." "Hey Siri, play R&B music." "Hey Siri, I want some Hip-pop songs." "Hey Siri, create a radio station based on Linkin Park." "Hey Siri, play the heated song from 1998." |
| Play Music by Mood | "Hey Siri, I am feeling sad, give me some cheerful songs." "Hey Siri, I want some relaxed songs." "Hey Siri, play some romantic songs." "Hey Siri, I am cooking now, I need some songs about cooking." "Hey Siri, I want to sleep, need some song for bedtime." |
| General HomePod Control Commands | "Hey Siri, skip forward 30 seconds. "Hey Siri, increase the volume to 50 percent." "Hey Siri, I want to hear the live version of this song." "Hey Siri, turn on repeat." |
Part 2. Play Apple Music on HomePod from Android
What about Android users? Can you enjoy the same convenient music experience as iOS users? The answer is yes! Despite the differences between Android and iOS, there are viable solutions to stream Apple Music on HomePod via Android. Here is how.
Step 1. To begin with, you will need a third-party partner. Go to Google Play and download the AirMusic app.
Step 2. Launch AirMusic. Head to SETTINGS > General settings. Then, select the Native recording option under SELECT YOUR AUDIO-SOURCE.
Step 3. Move back to the RECEIVERS tab and tap on AirPlay to select your HomePod device. Next, tap Start recording or casting > Start now to get connected.
Step 4. Access your favorite song on Apple Music on your Android device. You will be able to airplay Apple Music to HomePod with ease.
Part 3. Play Apple Music on HomePod from Computer
In addition to mobile devices, you can also get Apple Music on HomePod from your computers. Detailed guides are offered in the following.
Tips.
TuneFab Apple Music Converter is highly recommended if you are worried about a poor network connection or plan to cancel your Apple Music subscription. This tool working on both Windows and Mac, is designed to help convert Apple Music to MP3 and other common audio formats for hassle-free playback on any device. Moreover, you can also add those downloads to the Music app for Mac and iTunes for Windows so as to enjoy Apple Music on HomePod with no network with ease.
On Mac
For Mac users, you can handle the process easily with a few simple clicks.
Step 1. Open the Music app on your Mac and make sure you've logged in with your Apple ID.
Step 2. Play any song, playlist, or album you like in the music library.
Step 3. Find and click on the AirPlay icon in the upper right corner of the interface, then you can connect your HomePod easily. After that, you can hear the music coming out of your HomePod.
On Windows
As for Windows users, you can also easily play Apple Music on HomePod from your PC. You will need to use iTunes to do this. Follow the steps below.
Step 1. Launch the latest iTunes on your Windows PC and log in with the Apple ID bound to your Apple Music subscription.
Step 2. Find the AirPlay icon, which is located next to the volume slider. Click on it and select your HomePod as the audio output device.
Step 3. Play a song and iTunes will stream the audio directly to your HomePod. You can control playback and volume from iTunes as usual.
Part 4. Tips: What Music Services Can be Supported on HomePod
There are 6 types of music you can directly stream to HomePod.
Apple Music: 45 million of the songs can be streamed on HomePod with Siri if you have already subscribed to the service.
iTunes Music: All your purchased content such as songs, albums, and audiobooks, are allowed to play on HomePod. Just simply say "Hey Siri" and give voice commands.
iCloud Music Library: All the uploaded contents are also can be played on HomePod when Siri can recognize your voice commands, including the music you have imported from CD, Apple Music, or iTunes Match.
Beats 1: Podcasts from Beats 1 can be played on HomePod.
Podcasts: Podcasts from iTunes can be listened to on HomePod when saying Hey to Sir.
AirPlay: The users of HomePod can use AirPlay to play all the audio from iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Apple TV as well as Mac.
Although Apple wants HomePod users to use its own Apple Music service, the company is also opening its platform to third-party services. At the current time, the HomePod speaker also works with music services like Spotify and Pandora using Airplay, and an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. So it is possible to stream Spotify music to your HomePod. Just ask Siri to stream music by specifying "with Spotify" at the end of a request.
Part 5. How to Fix Homepod Not Playing Apple Music?
When your Apple HomePod is not playing music, there could be a few reasons why. For example, Wi-Fi connection issues, software setup errors, Apple Music account issues, and more. Fortunately, most of them can be fixed with a few simple clicks.
- Check the Wi-Fi Connection: Make sure both the HomePod and the device you are streaming from are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If necessary, restart your router or reconnect the devices to a stable network.
- Verify Apple Music Subscription: To play Apple Music on HomePod, you must have an active subscription. Double-check that your subscription is still valid and has not expired.
- Restart Your Devices: Sometimes, a simple restart can fix temporary glitches. Try restarting both your HomePod and the device you're using.
- Check for Software Updates: Ensure the Apple Music app on your HomePod and the streaming device is updated to the latest version.
- Reset the HomePod: If none of the above fixes worked, try resetting the HomePod. Press and hold the top of the HomePod until the white light flashes and you hear a reset prompt. Then, follow the setup instructions in the Home app to set up your device again.
- Ensure Correct AirPlay Settings: If you are playing music through AirPlay, make sure your playing device and HomePod are paired properly.
- Check the Volume and Mute Settings: Sometimes, the mute option may have been accidentally turned on. Ensure your HomePod's volume is turned up and it's not muted.
In the End...
So far, we have walked you through the comprehensive guides on how to play Apple Music on HomePod from iPhone, Android, Windows, and Mac. Also, if your HomePod is not playing Apple Music, you can also find solutions to get it fixed!
Additionally, if you prefer a more hassle-free listening experience on HomePod without worrying about network connection and subscription expiration, TuneFab Apple Music Converter can offer great help! With it, you can easily bypass DRM protection and enjoy Apple Music on any device without any restrictions. Download it now and have a try!
